Canadian actor Lorne Cardinal speaking to Dr.Roy Wilson students (Photo by Ross Lavigne)

By Hayley Ferguson

FNMI Speaker Series

Actor Lorne Cardinal speaks to Medicine Hat students about breaking down barriers

Oct 29, 2019 | 1:37 PM

Medicine Hat, AB – The Medicine Hat Public School Division is hosting actor Lorne Cardinal this week as part of their annual First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Guest Speaker Series.

The school division hosts the series in hopes of breaking down negative stereotypes that can still exist around FNMI people.

“I think it takes it beyond tolerating to accepting different people and different cultures,” said Dr. Roy Wilson fourth grade teacher Nicole Shupe, who herself is Metis.

While she says it’s important for all students to hear the message, she is hopeful it will have extra meaning to some.

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“It’s really important for kids to be able to see themselves in examples. So examples of leaders, examples of successful people. And famous people are successful people,” she laughed.

Cardinal says that’s one of the reasons he felt it was important to get out and talk to the students.

“When I was growing up, I didn’t have very many people to look up to in entertainment,” he said. “But all these experiences I’ve had, I’ve used in my work as a director and actor. Everything that we do, we can bring to the table our experience and it just enriches what we do,” he smiled.

The Corner Gas star is hopeful that his message will resonate with all students though.

“Success is easy if you’re dedicated, you work hard, and you face your fears. The fears of success, the fears of failure, the fears of trying something you’ve never done before,” he continued. “The best thing is to face those things and just don’t let them limit you. Try something new, you’ll learn. Even if you fail you’ll learn more. And you’ll get it right the next time.”

Cardinal will be visiting 13 schools during his week in the Gas City where he will give a presentation, show examples of his work, and host a Q&A session.